Marco Rubio's Long Goodbye

Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC’s Hardball, likes to say that he enjoys candidates’ concession speeches because that is when you see the real person, not the politician, revealed.

Marco Rubio (RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images)

Memorable concession speeches are those of Richard Nixon in 1960 when he graciously acknowledged the victory of John F. Kennedy, even though some votes were still being counted. He further proved his graciousness when he refused to dispute the narrow election, which upon investigation in Illinois and Texas might have swung the contest Nixon’s way.

Ronald Reagan too looked very presidential when he acknowledged that he had lost the nomination to Gerald Ford at the 1976 Republican convention. So powerful was Reagan’s voice that many delegates felt they were nominating the wrong candidate. Four years later Reagan was the nominee.

Al Gore too was most gracious in accepting the outcome of the very close election in 2000 in which he had won the popular vote. The Supreme Court upheld the contested results and voted 5-4 to give the election to George W. Bush. According to Jon Meacham’s biography of George H. W. Bush, Gore was so upstanding in defeat that the former president sent Gore a note of condolence. Bush, Sr., who failed to gain re-election in 1992, knew what it was like to lose a national election.

Following in the tradition of exiting with dignity is Marco Rubio, who was just trounced by Donald Trump in Rubio’s home state of Florida. Rubio actually has done one better than many candidates. Since his fateful slip into the dark side of potty-mouth comments about Trump—in effect trying to out Trump Trump—Rubio has gone on an apology tour.

Admitting that he was embarrassed by his own misbehavior, Rubio has played the valiant underdog role. He has returned to message, something that is second nature to him since so often he has been accused of being overly scripted. Still it takes a bigger man to admit a mistake, and it takes an even bigger politician to do so.

In his concession speech, Rubio conceded the race with a nod to Trump for the victory and then launched into his stump speech that built upon his immigrant heritage, his plea for unity and his sense of optimism.

Knowing when you are licked is painful. There is a saying in politics that the candidate is the last to know. And with some justification! The politician is the one on stage and typically those who come to hear him or her are favorably disposed to the message so they cheer. It takes a savvy leader to cut through the cheering and look in the mirror. It also helps to surround yourself with an aide or two who can speak truth to power.

As a young man of 44, Rubio does have time to reinvigorate his political career. Although he’s not running for re-election to the U.S. Senate, rumors have him perhaps trying for the Florida governorship. For that reason he owed it to himself, and his supporters, to exit gracefully.